How will you spend Memorial Day?

By Barbara Harrington
Senior Writer
ABERDEEN – Memorial Day is set apart for the citizens of the United States to honor and remember those who died in service to the country.
Aberdeen Post 26 of the American Legion will hold a Memorial Day service on Monday, May 25, beginning at 10 a.m. at the Odd Fellows Rest Cemetery in Aberdeen. The ceremony will feature speakers, the posting of colors, the folding of a U.S. flag, a 21-gun salute for the honored dead and the playing of Taps.
The American Legion Post 26 Honor Guard and Color Guard, under the direction of John Roberts, second-vice commander, will be giving a 21-gun salute (Honor Guard) and posting the colors (Color Guard). Folding the flag will be Post 26 commander Buzzy Cullum and finance officer Johnny Owen. Elvis Sledge will play Taps.
Cullum will talk about the significance of Memorial Day, then Bro. Mark Thornton, pastor of Friendship Baptist Church in Aberdeen will speak. Thornton is also a Lt. Col. in the National Guard and is the state chaplain for the Alabama National Guard.
“If you have the day off, remember that Memorial Day is a holiday to recognize and honor all veterans,” said John Roberts, an organizer of the event. “I believe in the American Legion and our men and women that served us. The men and women of Post 26 will honor Memorial Day. Will you be there? There were only 25 people who attended the Memorial Day services last year.
“This is a disgrace to our surrounding communities and the military. This is not fair to the great men and women who have died, who were wounded and have served, putting their lives in harm’s way so we can have this holiday off with freedom.
“Will you celebrate your Memorial Day this year with a veteran you know?”
If not, attend the Memorial Day service at the cemetery next Monday.
Members of Post 26 plan to take part in the groundbreaking in Amory for the Veterans Memorial of Monroe County that afternoon at 2 p.m. The site of the proposed monument is at Highway 278 and 6th Street, across from Wilkerson’s Appliances and Furniture.
The public is invited to both these events.